AMBU bag VS Neopuff

[K.Alva, BSN, RN]

In my unit as emergency equipment we set up an AMBU bag AND a neopuff. Can someone explain why we always set up 2, is there certain instances where you would use one over the other? Is is just in case one doesn't work?

[chare]

Have you asked one of the more experience nurses on your unit?

[PeakRN]

I think some of it is based on preference. I feel like I can better control PIP, PEEP, I/E, and just have a better feel with a flow inflating bag than the neopuff or jet. I know nurses that prefer the neopuff, we have both at the bedside.

We also have self inflating bags on our code carts (in addition to flow inflating) because in theory you could run out of oxygen from a tank and have nothing to make a neopuff/jet/flow inflating bag work. I think this is a bit much, especially since we use a blender for our neonate resuscitations and there is now way to actually know the oxygen percentage of a self inflating bag.

[adventure_rn, MSN, NP]

Like Peak said, the ambu bag is a safety precaution in case your O2 flow (from either a tank or the wall) gets cut off. Without flow, the Neopuff won't work. In contrast, the ambu bag can 'work' by providing PIP without being hooked up to a tank (although if it weren't hooked up to an oxygen tank, you could only give room air, i.e. 21% O2). It's unlikely that you'd ever be in a situation where your oxygen fails, but it's still a safety precaution.

Each bag has it's own benefits, and different people have different preferences. The NeoPuff is the most user-friendly since the PIP and PEEP are pre-set, so you only have to control the rate in the heat of the moment (unless you manually adjust the PIP/PEEP knobs during the code). With an anaesthesia bag or an ambu bag, you have more control over the PIP, PEEP and inspiratory time (I-time) in addition to rate. However, since none of those things are pre-set on an anaesthesia bag or an ambu bag, there's more potential for error if you don't know what you're doing; it requires much more manual dexterity, and an awareness of all of these factors simultaneously. Therefore, I personally think that the NeoPuff is a better option for people with less resuscitation and/or respiratory experience. I personally grab the NeoPuff and leave the ambu and/or anaesthesia bags to the RTs.

[K.Alva, BSN, RN]

obviously not if I am asking here. Thank you, but if your not going to add to the discussion then just don't bother commenting.

[K.Alva, BSN, RN]

Thank you so much! This makes a lot of sense.